HMS Charger, HMS Biter and HMS Pursuer are all training vessels assigned to Liverpool, Manchester and Glasgow universities’ Royal Naval units.
Now used solely for training university students and cadets, the vessels have seen active service in the Atlantic, Baltic and Mediterranean.
HMS Pursuer also played a role in Operation Telic, the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
The vessels, commissioned between 1986 and 1988, were built in Shoreham, Sussex. They were fitted out militarily by defence firm Vosper Thornycroft.
Mooring overnight on a routine stop, the craft were due to depart local waters early this morning.
You need to be logged in to comment.